The Riverman

Watch The Riverman

"To catch a killer, you must understand evil."
  • R
  • 2004
  • 1 hr 31 min
  • 5.9  (1,555)

The Riverman is a psychological thriller film that was released in 2004. The movie is based on the book The Riverman: Ted Bundy and I Hunt for the Green River Killer written by Robert Keppel. The film explores the events surrounding the Green River Killer, who was responsible for the deaths of at least 48 women in the Seattle area during the 1980s and 1990s. The movie takes a unique approach to the true story by focusing on the relationship between the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway (Sam Jaeger), and the retired detective who helped solve the case, Robert Keppel (Bruce Greenwood).

Throughout the film, we see flashbacks of Keppel's investigation into the Green River Killer as he works with Ridgway to gain insight into the killer's mind. The movie opens with Keppel returning to the case after several years of being retired. He's called back by his former partner, Detective Dave Reichert, who informs him that they believe they have finally captured the Green River Killer. However, they need Keppel's help to get him to confess to the murders.

At first, Keppel is hesitant to come out of retirement, but he eventually agrees when he realizes how much this case still haunts him. He decides to take a new approach to the case by working directly with Ridgway, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murders. Keppel believes that by gaining Ridgway's trust, he can get him to provide further insight into the case and its victims.

As Keppel starts to work with Ridgway, he becomes increasingly concerned about the killer's complete lack of remorse. Ridgway comes across as charming and cooperative, but it's clear that he has a deep-seated hatred for women. The more Keppel learns about Ridgway, the more he realizes that he's dealing with a true psychopath.

The movie does an excellent job of portraying the psychological warfare that takes place between Keppel and Ridgway. As they spend more time together, Keppel becomes more and more convinced that Ridgway has more information than he's letting on. However, Keppel also starts to realize just how manipulative Ridgway can be, and he begins to question whether he can trust anything that the killer says.

Throughout the film, we see flashbacks to the murders and the impact that they had on the victims' families. The Riverman doesn't shy away from the gruesome details of the killings, but it never feels gratuitous. The movie is much more interested in exploring the psychology behind the murders than in sensationalizing them.

Overall, The Riverman is a gripping psychological thriller that manages to be both creepy and thought-provoking. The performances by the three main actors, Bruce Greenwood, Sam Jaeger, and Sarah Manninen, are all excellent. Greenwood, in particular, does an outstanding job of portraying Keppel's deep-seated frustration and sense of moral responsibility towards the victims' families.

The movie does a great job of building tension throughout the story, and the ending is satisfying without feeling contrived. While The Riverman isn't a traditional horror movie, it's definitely not for the faint of heart. However, if you're a fan of true crime or psychological thrillers, then this movie is definitely worth checking out.

The Riverman is a 2004 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.

The Riverman
Description
Where to Watch The Riverman
The Riverman is available to watch free on Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent The Riverman for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2004
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 31 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.9  (1,555)